Adventure Blog

Join me on a journey to northern Minnesota on forest roads to hidden gems along Lake Superior, Sawbill Trail and Caribou Trail. I will share some beautiful images and video clips from this past 2021 fall. I hope you enjoy the short video. Cheers! VIDEO LINK

47 miles from Duluth up the shoreline on Highway 61 is the Minnesota Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Within this beautiful park is the Split Rock Lighthouse high op the cliffs overlooking Lake Superior. It is still a working lighthouse that shines it lights on a few special occasions each year. There are so many different locations to get some great images of this iconic lighthouse. The state park has a rocky beach that is great for hiking and exploring. You can kayak in the bay and explore the island in the bay. There are great being trails and hiking trails within the park. You can stay in the large campground and make this a longer stay. I have photographed this lighthouse is the frigid Minnesota winters, but the fall is my favorite as the trees and plants change from green to vivid colors of red, orange, yellow and brown in the fall. As the largest fresh water great lake storm clouds gather and can add some great character to your images. As a photographer this is a great location. 63 miles further up Highway 61 is the charming little town of Grand Marais, which is where I like to stay when I explore the Nothshore.

I have made many trips over the years to Grand Teton National Park and Jackson, Wyoming. The grand beauty of the Grand Teton Mountain Range. As you drive west from Cody, Wyoming the landscape has a rugged beauty that is unmatched. It is roughly a 2 hour and 45 minute drive from Cody. If you come from Yellowstone National Park it is a 31 mile journey. The Mormon Row Historic District is in Teton County north of Jackson, Wyoming. See the map below for its location. My favorite time is to arrive before sunrise. I usually arrive at 5 am to get situated and brew a couple of cups of coffee and await the light show that hits the large clouds that hover over the mountains to the west. The clouds get naturally painted by the light as it appears from the east. It changes as it rises and you will witness purple, pink, red and orange colors. You may get bison in the scene, or elk or antelope. The spring colors make the grasses vivid green. As late summer comes the grasses turn yellow with red highlights. I will bring a step ladder to get different height advantages. Go to the corners and create a new visual scene. You can create a unique image from millions of others who have tried. Come back later in the day during the 'golden hour' the few hours right before sunset. Now the sun will disappear behind the clouds and the Teton Mountains. If you are lucky enough to be there as a summer storm clears out you will be in for a something special. Storm clouds as vanish move as if they are dancing with great speed and beauty.